Who is responsible for managing exposures and infection control issues in a department?

The individual responsible for managing exposures and infection control issues within a department is the designated officer. This role typically involves overseeing policies and procedures related to infection control, ensuring adherence to protocols for exposure management, and acting as a point of contact for any issues that arise related to these matters. The designated officer is often tasked with following up on incidents involving exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other infectious materials, coordinating the response to such incidents, and ensuring that the department complies with relevant regulations and guidelines.

While other roles, such as an Infection Control Nurse, play significant parts in overall infection control practices, the designated officer specifically focuses on managing exposure incidents and is integral to the response and reporting process. This ensures that there is a clear structure in place for addressing potentially hazardous situations, thereby helping to protect both healthcare workers and patients in the department.